Sunday, April 3, 2011

I can't even explain the overwhelming passion that I have for the Dominican Republic right now. Just going to church today and seeing the glow on the faces of people who have gone before in light of the recent trip. People are sharing their experiences with others and seeing how God is working in the hearts of potential, future team members and the long time veterans is just amazing.
My heart beats a little harder when I think about the future trips, and the project and what it will do for the community and the kids. I truly feel like that is where I need to be - working with the people in our church and helping to stir that passion by sharing mine. Relationships are so important to me and forming new ones is one of the most amazing feelings for me.
I feel so close to people I've been on trips with, kids in the Dominican, and the new friends I've made in the Dominican that I can't wait to see next trip!
It is such a passion that I can't even explain, but just thinking about it makes me so excited!
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Saturday, April 2, 2011

Reflecting on this last trip to the Dominican, I find myself to be braver than before, happier, more loved and an array of many other positive emotions and feelings as a result of the trip. I feel like I'm able to stand up more for what I believe in, and for when things are bothering me. I have always been such a pushover and allowed people to walk on me, but I'm happy to say that I have been able to release some things.
I think this is because I feel more loved - not that I was never loved by people on my team - but I was truly able to allow myself to accept it this time around. I never took it seriously, but for some reason something clicked in me with this team. Maybe it was because of the constant advice I was getting from people wiser than me, or the hugs I was given in times of frustration, but all I know is that I feel like I am valued, and because of that I value myself.
With everything that has gone down in my life so far this past year, having a few father figures around really did me some good. For so long I've felt guilty and just down about life, but now that I've felt the love of other fathers around me and know what their point of view would have been in my situation, I know I can move on and be ok.
I am so at ease with so much in my life right now, and I know that people have my back no matter what happens. It's ok to be scared and frustrated, but it's also ok to be loved and accepted.
God definitely did a lot in my life during this trip, and I didn't even realize it until the plane ride home.
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